Unfortunately, no matter how much you brush
and floss, it can sometimes be impossible to get into the nooks and crannies in
your back teeth. Pits and fissures prevent your toothbrush from reaching areas
that are susceptible to tooth decay, and that is where Dental Sealants come in.
According to Wikipedia, Dental Sealants are
not new. In fact, one of the very first attempts occurred when dentistry pioneer,
Dr. Willoughby D. Miller applied silver nitrate to teeth in 1905. Researcher
T.P Hyatt in 1921 and dentist C.F Bodecker carried out further attempts at
Dental Sealants in 1929. Silver nitrate was also used in the 1940’s in order to
prevent dental carries on the back molars.
Studies conducted by Dr. M.G. Buonocore in
1955 proved that etching the enamel on patients teeth with phosphoric acid and
resin provided a bonding system that would eventually lead to today’s dental
bonding procedures.
Your dentist understands that Dental Sealants
can help children, teens and adults prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces
of the teeth. Applied to the grooves and fissures on the molars, the
tooth-colored acrylic coating is actually painted on to the surface providing a
barrier against dental carries.
Dental Sealants actually act as a protective
barrier and help prevent acid and plaque from penetrating the enamel on your
teeth.
When you schedule an appointment with your
dentist for Dental Sealants, Dr. Szutz will determine if you are a good
candidate. Children and teens are usually deemed suitable for Dental Sealants,
as are adults who have not had previous restorative work done on their back
teeth.
Dental Sealants take just a few minutes for
each tooth and can last for years without the need for reapplication. Dental
sealants hold up well to normal chewing and can help prevent tooth decay.
